Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Work was light, finishing before 11:30am. Dr. Hoerr called just before 1:00pm to say he was on his way. He flushed Ylse's uterus again and left powdered bute. She is to get 2 grams 2 times a day. Next up was Jenis, she had a 52mm follicle and was ready to be covered. As long as Dr. Hoerr had his ultrasound machine I asked him to recheck Zalena, nice to see that pregnancy is progressing well. The bill was $172.50. It was back to work to pay the first of the month bills one day early and make a run to the bank with checks. Karin's vaulting clinic brought in $240.00 which was deposited into the vaulting account. This will help with next year's entrance fee for the IL Horse fair. Butch from Frenches called to report the truck's air conditioner was fixed. That bill was $429.29 but the air works great. Mom gave me a ride to French's to pick up the truck. The truck was brought back to the farm and hooked up to the living quarter trailer. Tomorrow morning that has an appointment for an estimate on repairing the side. When the vaulters borrowed it for their Iowa competition the driver turned a little too sharp and hit a truck scraping and denting in the side. After dinner Mike came over and Jenis was covered by Raven, we will try tomorrow morning, then according to Dr. Hoerr she should ovulate. Mark got the weed wacking done around the farm house and in Raven's paddock.

Monday, July 30, 2012

Ylse's vet appointment was at 1:00pm, Ylse was loaded into the front of the trailer while Braelyn's stroller was loaded into the back. Once we arrived help came out from the vet clinic office to bring Ylse into the stocks for the exam. She had delivered the placenta but the cause of the abortion was soon evident to Dr. Hoerr. Below he is up to his shoulders making sure the placenta is gone:

When he brought his hand back out, this is what the remaining fluid looked like:

Normal would be pink or red after delivery, this is riddled with obvious infection which is one of the main causes for late term abortions in mares.
Braelyn is watching him trying to figure out exactly what he is doing:

She is probably going to be a vet when she grows up, she was fascinated by everything Dr. Hoerr did, we didn't hear a peep out of her the entire time.
Dr. Hoerr's next step was to get the tools needed to clean out the uterus:

The metal tube is inserted all the way to the cervix, once in place the bucket of solution is poured into the funnel.

Once back there was a nice surprise waiting, Steven Marchal arrived home from his vacation at the beach in North Caroline with a box of salt water taffy hmmm. He was busy cleaning Jenis and Eliza's stall when we pulled up. Philip arrived to pick up Braelyn but we wouldn't let him leave until he checked out our computer. It would not work today. He found it infected with a nasty virus, so nasty he had to take it home to fix. Hope it will be healed tomorrow. Karin came over for dinner which was left over lasagna from yesterday. She had a vaulting practice tonight for the big show on Sunday. By the way that show will start at 6:00pm sharp here at the Horsemeister farm and anyone wanting to come is welcome. It's FREE!
She was complaining about swimmer's ear, someone told her to try ear candles, below she is not burning the candle at both ends, nope she is trying to dry out her inner ear with the smoke the ear candle is puffing out the end.

Now that's just weird!
The vaulting practice went very well. No pictures, that would spoil the surprise on Sunday!

After the walk, Braelyn and I went on the golf cart to check on the mares in the cabin field. They weren't up waiting for attention so we had to go into the field to look for them. Ylse was standing by herself with the other 2 mares huddled at the back. When we got close enough to see, there was Ylse standing over a big black dead colt. Ylse was due Sept 3rd and this colt was born too early to survive. She wouldn't leave the body even to drink. Braelyn was taken over to mom's so I could bring Ylse over to the breeding shed for care and the dead colt over to the farm for burial. Ylse was so thirsty drinking and drinking, then running to the back of the paddock calling. Poor Ylse! Dr. Hoerr's office was called to schedule an apointment for her, we don't know if the placenta was delivered, I wasn't able to find it but it is a big field. This is a huge loss for Horsemeister, we didn't breed that many mares last year because of the bad economy and hay shortage but instead of complaining we will rejoice in the 2 perfect fillies Jenis and Eliza gave us and hope for the best with Sangria and Jewel the last 2 mares expecting for 2012.

Sunday, July 29, 2012

Mindy is more than likely sold, I don't have the deposit but she is suppose to leave on Thursday. I will be meeting them in Indiana at the Beef House exit at 1:00pm. Tomorrow the vet clinic will be called to arrange a health certificate for traveling.
There were actually 2 calls waiting when we got out of church both for Mindy. If the one doesn't take her the other will. Speaking of church, what an awesome day. Craig had the morning service and Tim the afternoon.
After church Rhoda, Sarah, Ben, Taunya, Addyson, Jack, Phil, Anna, Braelyn and mom came over for dinner. We all squished in this little apartment just fine but it will be even better when we move into the house.
The kids headed over for volleyball. Mom helped with the dishes then helped move Jenis and her filly out of the stall. The name Noel was suggested for the filly, that along with Naomi, Nanette, Morgan, Marcella, and Octavia. Not sure if any of them fit her.
Below are a few of the pictures of the evening.

The volley ball games were amazing to watch, the volleys went on and on.

Saturday, July 28, 2012

The camp is such a hit each year we are making it an annual event. Karin has agreed to hold this again next year same time same place. The website will be marked July 27th 2013 for the next camp. Not to brag or anything but Karin really is the best vaulting teacher in central Illinois, probably the best in the entire state of IL plus all the surrounding states, just ask these campers! So if your child is a wannabe vaulter SAVE THE DATE!

I was only able to snap a few pictures before Karin put me to work. Anni Davidovics was her helper teaching the 1 star compulsories. The campers were divided into 2 groups with one working on the barrel while the other worked on the horse. They would switch after each camper got the movement down pat. They broke for lunch and all headed over to Diane's pond for eating, relaxing, visiting and swimming. An hour was hardly time enough to enjoy Diane's pond. After lunch it was time to work exclusively on Ribbon. All of the campers learned the compulsories at the walk and by the time the camp was over she had some campers cantering.
By the time it was over none of them were in a hurry to leave. They wanted to see the Friesian foals and the stallions. Evan had to show them how he can bow, laydown and sit up (thanks to Steven)and Valiant just showed the bow. Mike came by with 2 mares getting the boys all excited. He took Bunni, Mika, Clair and Montross to Middle Grove. After every one was gone and the barn straightened up Karin, Mark and I decided instead of cooking we would go to Scapecchi's for dinner. Mom arrived home from Colorado and joined us as there is not much food in her house. She actually was shocked when she walked in, that last storm, the one that was over in minutes and didn't give us much rain, knocked down her awning onto her deck table shattering the glass. We arrived for dinner before 5:00pm, our meals were delicious. Mark and Karin shared the ribeye for 2.

Each got their own salad and sweet potato. Mom ordered soup and salad then shared a bit of steak. I ordered the special of the night, New York strip steak, sweet potato and salad and the steak was done perfectly! hmmm looking at the picture below 4 hours later my brain is remembering each delicious bite.

Below is the new and improved video from yesterday. Youtube blocked the old one from some people. The girls had a ball exploring the many well maintained trails of this gorgeous property for sale near Henry, IL. The video is over 8 minutes long but there were so many different buildings, barns, garages, docks, ponds, and of course the mansion to show. If interested in learning more about this 75 acre piece of heaven on earth contact Nate Herman from Herman pond management.
Last night after a quick dinner Mark came out with me to fix the front fence line of the boy's paddock. It had one post bending out. We thought there may be an easy way to at least make it look straight before the scheduled vaulting clinic starts today. Well there really are no short cuts and sometimes short cuts end up causing worse problems. By the time we quit, not finished but quit the entire fence line was taken down, two posts dug out of the ground and removed along with a huge ball of cement attached to each broken post, the railing pulled off and all the nails and bolts removed, one hole dug and one big thick locust post pounded in place. We still need to dig another hole and put in another post before we can attach the rails. The boys were left out in the pasture for the night, sure hope they are still there this morning! The stalls were not cleaned last night, by the time we came in there was no way these 57 year old muscles wanted to move more than to take a shower and fall into bed. Karin emailed that she is not able to open the video made yesterday. Youtube has put a block on it because the music is copyrighted. She sent new music so the new and improved project will be uploaded soon.
Diane and I are helping Karin with the vaulting clinic today. Karin has people coming down from Chicago and other places and she needs this place to look a bit more professional than it does right now. The clinic starts at 10:00am and there is so much to do!

Friday, July 27, 2012

Nate Herman of Hermanpondmanagement is not a horse person. He asked us, he thinks we are the experts, to come critique the 75 acres estate for sale North of Henry, IL.
It is considered a Unique Exclusive Equine Estate. This is a 75 acre property all set up for horses now for sale just a short trip West of Chicago and an hour North of Peoria. The property is near I 80. The log cabin mansion set on it's own private well stocked pond is perfect for entertaining. Gorgeous large windows for the fantastic private view. The builder installed ornamental ponds with waterfalls that flow down to the main pond on both sides of the house which gives off the soothing sound of a babbling brook. This place has character. Above the garage is a complete apartment for guests. There is a beautiful barn for horses with a large foaling stall, 3 other stalls all with louvered screened windows, a full bath and a large tackroom. There is plenty of room for hay storage. The nice roomy machine shed on the property has cement floors, plenty of cupboard and counter space and a big barrel wood burner. The paddock which also opens up to a grazing field has a very roomy loafing shed with a Nelson Automatic waterer and secure hay storage. The fencing is good quality post and rail. There are acres of well maintained trails on the property with abundant wildlife. If interested please contact Nate Herman from Herman pond management company. Watch the video below to see how the horses enjoy the trails:
As we were hired to critique this above is all the pros and below are a few of the cons of this property. The very first thing we noticed was the barn driveway. This place really needs a circle drive although one could go down the machine shed drive and just park behind. The barn floor is beautiful and the builder paid extra for the tile but it is too slippery for horses. That will need to be roughed up a bit. Three of the stalls were 10 x 12 with the foaling stall on the other side of the aisle nice and big. A hydrant along that wall gave easy access to water but it would have been nice to have installed automatic waterers in the stalls. There was no wash rack. The machine shed had huge automatic doors plenty big enough to back a hay rack full of hay along with plenty of cupboard space and counter tops. This building just needed a little work on the ceiling, very minor. The house is impressive from the outside, a true mansion, but the floors inside are not finished and to see subflooring where tile or hardwood should be is a bit daunting for a buyer. Although that should really be turned into a pro for this property, why the new owner will have his or her choice on flooring material, just think what a plus that is. The massive stone fireplaces on 2 levels seem to be the centerpiece of those floors, tall ceilings and big log beams along with the stone work shows it is quality built. The lucky buyer of this property will have a nice slice of paradise here on earth. The few negatives of which the biggest was the house floor can easily be turned into positives. On the whole this place is a dream come true.

We have a beautiful day for our trip to Henry, IL. The Horsemeister farm has been asked to provide horses and riders for Herman Pond Management's land division. We will be checking out this gorgeous place for sale, riding the mowed trails, fishing the stocked ponds and video taping the entire process. Below are a few pictures of this amazing property that is for sale. A view of the house:

The house, garage, covered dock:

A couple of views of the house set on the left and the barns on the right:

The well set up barns:

Post and railed pasture with run in shed:

We are taking Zalena, Ciera, Mika and Bunni, the 4 horses brought back from the Middle Grove farm yesterday. Our riders are Jessica Sauder, Rebekah Schwind, Anni Davidovics and Rhoda Sceggel. Karin Meister is coming along to help with the horses and video taping. Nate Herman, one of the owners of Herman Pond Management, is the person in charge of selling this land and will join us along with his family. He is bringing fishing poles for anyone that wants to fish. We should all pack swim suits and towels.
This well built well thought out horse property is for sale, it is within easy driving distance to Peoria and would be a wonderful place for a family with horses. If any is interested in learning more of this property contact Nate Herman from Herman Pond Management he knows all the details and can arrange to show it.

Thursday, July 26, 2012

We got a 5 minute shower this evening but the drops came crashing down hard, almost felt like hail. Mark and I were out in it moving the saddles from the back of the truck into the truck and just got the last one in when the heaven's opened. The sun broke through the clouds just a few minutes later and calm prevailed. We would have loved to see this stick around but the storms have moved off quickly.
Cor Arainna, the mare that impaled herself yesterday found a way while she was stalled to cut her hip open enough she needed stitches again! She had a 10:00am appointment at Hoerr vet clinic and today stood well for her 6 stitches.

Why this mare throws herself backwards is just plain weird, and what in the world did she cut herself on in a stall?
Once back, Cor was unloaded, Jenis & her filly stalled and the 2 paint mares, Lola and Prissy loaded into the stock trailer for their trip to paradise. Both mares are now out of season and can go out on the new land with the herd for the next 18 days. The video below was them meeting the herd for the first time. We thought there may be more running but all of them decided it is just too hot.
Karin had the 4 horses heading back to the farm haltered with lead ropes attached. They were also let go to meet the girls. Once the video camera was put down, Karin loaded Zalena and Ciera while I grabbed Mika. Before I could get Mika to the trailer Ayanna, Indy and Killian were getting in the trailer.

They were shooed out so Mika could load.

Bunni had gone down to the lake which was quite a distance, Karin took the truck to lead her back:

We were so hot and thirsty by the time we arrived back at the farm we could hardly unload the horses fast enough to get inside the airconditioning for a big long ice cold refreshing drink of water. Neither Mike's truck which Karin was driving nor my truck has working air. Sarah stopped in after work, she and Karin drove to Hanna City to see the progress Rachel has made on her rental house. Right after they left Nate Herman arrived to pick up the golf cart for tomorrow's trip to Henry. He saw Sarah's car, jumped in, drove it to the end of the lane, locked it up tight and hid the keys on the top of her car. He is a brave brave man, either that or not too smart.
Mark grilled hamburger for dinner which was served with one of our vine ripened tomatoes, sauteed vandalia sweet onion, and a baked sweet potato drenched in butter.
Clair and Ciera were covered by Evan today, Clair in the morning and Ciera tonight.

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

This sounds like a broken record but today must have been our most extreme heat so far, 105 degrees and I worked outside scraping paddocks with the skid steer. Before that could be started the horses needed to be hosed down and those that need air conditioning brought in. Cor Arainna was moved into Eliza paddock as Eliza & Olivia were stalled. She refused to settle down running up and down the paddock working up quite a sweat. After a good hosing to try to cool her off the back gate was opened to allow her into the woods. The next thing I see is Cor, Ribbon and Ella running through the paddock and into the pasture behind Raven's. They can't be left there, that's where Jozsef and Mark dug the holes for the posts. As I walk up to get them I see blood on Cor:

My first thought is Ribbon must have kicked her when she came running through her paddock. Dr.Hoerr was called even before moving Cor inside. When he arrived he informs me there is no way this came from a kick, she has impaled herself on something. He had his work cut out for him. This was like a puzzle only one that moved every once in a while. The picture below was snapped when he was almost finished before the sedation started wearing off.

I never did get the finished picture, someone had to hold her head to keep her still and there wasn't anyone else around.
After discussing how and why this happened, I realized she was not fly sprayed down after her hosing. We think she may have been attacked by some of the huge horse flies we've seen lately. Dr. Hoerr left once finished and there was just enough time for a much needed shower before it was time to leave for church. Ken Hoerr had the sermon. He called for prayer, not just for our country but for our beloved church. He opened to 2 Chronicles 7th chapter verses 11-20 but focused most of the sermon on verse 14.

Below is Jenis' filly on the left and Olivia, Eliza's filly on the right. Both are convinced it is better on the other side of the fence.

They are very curious about each other and would love to play together but Jenis can't be trusted. Work started as soon as it was light enough to see outside. We are expecting another day of triple digits. Clair was covered by Evan, Lola was covered by Valiant, and Raven was given the day off so Prissy was not covered. She will be checked tomorrow morning early and if in covered then.

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

I stopped at Globe Auto supply to pick up a tire patch kit before heading to TEMCO to get the mail. The back passenger side tire on the golf cart just wouldn't hold air long enough to make a garbage run to the dumpster. They had a package of 20 plugs for $14.99. The tools for patching had been ordered and delivered a while ago. The plugs were put in my purse for later and then it was time to work. Today the computer acted up, shutting itself off without being asked to do so and then the printer wouldn't communicate with the computer. This printer was new in 1987 and has always gotten along with the computer until this morning, then for some reason they wouldn't talk to each other. Philip wasn't around to help and it was left for me to reason with these 2 obstinate pieces of equipment. Thankfully they both settled down and decided to get along. Eva Jean and I were able to get done just a little bit later than usual.
I didn't get home today until after 2:00pm and went to work on the golf cart tire finding 3 holes that needed patching. By the time that job was done I was glad to drive the cart over to Diane's to cool off a bit in the pond. We had another hot day.
After an easy dinner of tuna fish sandwiches Mark started debarking more locust posts and brushed preservative on each posts. The preservative is called TIM-BOR, this is mixed with propylene glycol so it soaks into the wood better keeping insects and water away stopping rot. Jozsef hand dug the holes the skid steer can't reach, Mark will dig the rest tomorrow and set the posts. Hopefully that pasture can be finished soon, not that we can graze horses in it. We need rain so badly! Tomorrow is predicted to be 101 with zero chance of rain.

So glad we have 3 Friesian stallions. Today between 7:05am and 7:15am Prissy was covered by Raven, Lola was covered by Valiant and Clair was covered by Evan. We just didn't want to take a chance on missing any of the mares.

Monday, July 23, 2012

Our high today was 104 degrees Fahrenheit. Mark and I were suppose to start cleaning out paddocks and moving manure after work but it was 102 at 6:30pm, by the time it dropped to 99 degrees it was getting too dark. This day after day of unrelenting heat is hard.
Braelyn was over to help grandma today, below Ribbon is checking her out to see if she is bringing any treats over.

She is ready to open the gate when asked.

The next 2 pictures are when we went into Jenis' stall, Braelyn had to agree to sit in her stroller and let the filly check her out.

Both the filly and Braelyn were very curious about each other. Braelyn held very still while the filly sniffed her and the contraption she was sitting in.

Then it was time to clean Eliza and Olivia's stall. This time the stroller was parked in the doorway so Braelyn could watch while the stall was cleaned. What was funny was Olivia had the same reaction.

Braelyn was taken over to the playground on the golf cart. A few of the cups from volley ball were cleaned up while she played in the sand. When we started back the right back tire went flat. So flat we had to park the cart and walk home.
Prissy was covered by Raven this morning before the extreme heat and will be marked down. Clair was checked, she is still in season and will need to be covered tomorrow if still in.

When an old man died in the geriatric ward of a nursing home in an Australian country town, it was believed that he had nothing left of any value.
Later, when the nurses were going through his meagre possessions, They found this poem. Its quality and content so impressed the staff that copies were made and distributed to every nurse in the hospital.
Cranky Old Man

What do you see nurses? . . .. . .What do you see?
What are you thinking .. . when you're looking at me?
A cranky old man, . . . . . .not very wise,
Uncertain of habit .. . . . . . . .. with faraway eyes?
Who dribbles his food .. . ... . . and makes no reply.
When you say in a loud voice . .'I do wish you'd try!'
Who seems not to notice . . .the things that you do.
And forever is losing . . . . . .. . . A sock or shoe?
Who, resisting or not . . . ... lets you do as you will,
With bathing and feeding . . . .The long day to fill?
Is that what you're thinking?. .Is that what you see?
Then open your eyes, nurse .you're not looking at me.
I'll tell you who I am . . . . .. As I sit here so still,
As I do at your bidding, .. . . . as I eat at your will.
I'm a small child of Ten . .with a father and mother,
Brothers and sisters .. . . .. . who love one another
A young boy of Sixteen . . . .. with wings on his feet
Dreaming that soon now . . .. . . a lover he'll meet.
A groom soon at Twenty . . . ..my heart gives a leap.
Remembering, the vows .. .. .that I promised to keep.
At Twenty-Five, now . . . . .I have young of my own.
Who need me to guide . . . And a secure happy home.
A man of Thirty . .. . . . . My young now grown fast,
Bound to each other . . .. With ties that should last.
At Forty, my young sons .. .have grown and are gone,
But my woman is beside me . . to see I don't mourn.
At Fifty, once more, .. ...Babies play 'round my knee,
Again, we know children . . . . My loved one and me.
Dark days are upon me . . . . My wife is now dead.
I look at the future ... . . . . I shudder with dread.
For my young are all rearing .. . . young of their own.
And I think of the years . . . And the love that I've known.
I'm now an old man . . . . . . .. and nature is cruel.
It's jest to make old age . . . . . . . look like a fool.
The body, it crumbles .. .. . grace and vigour, depart.
There is now a stone . . . where I once had a heart.
But inside this old carcass . A young man still dwells,
And now and again . . . . . my battered heart swells
I remember the joys . . . . .. . I remember the pain.
And I'm loving and living . . . . . . . life over again.
I think of the years, all too few . . .. gone too fast.
And accept the stark fact . . . that nothing can last.
So open your eyes, people .. . . . .. . . open and see.
Not a cranky old man .
Look closer . . . . see .. .. . .. .... . ME!!
Remember this poem when you next meet an older person who you might brush aside without looking at the young soul within. We will all, one day, be there, too!

Sarah posted a few pictures of teaching in Jamaica. Above is her classroom and below is lunch with some students:

Mark has been cutting down locust trees (the trees with the huge thorns)and debarking them. He is cutting them in 8 and 9 foot long sections and we hope to use them to fence in the entire 30 acres.

We only need a few hundred more!
This is a huge job and Jozsef Davidovics has offered to help with the fencing. Jozsef's original languages are Hungarian and Romanian but since coming to America he does very well with English. Yesterday in church Jozsef was telling me he will come tomorrow afternight. I think he meant tomorrow afternoon, wouldn't afternight be Tuesday? His twin brother Sandor was laid off his job last year, when we asked him how work was going he responded,"I've been laid down."
Today will be busy, Braelyn is coming, mares need to be covered and the truck's air conditioner checked out. An estimate for fixing the living quarter trailer still needs to be done and I still haven't found anyone in Peoria that works on them.

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A Short Profile Paragraph

I am the 3rd child of my parents in a line-up of 11. I was the oldest girl so grew up the boss of the house. I have 3 brothers and 7 sisters. We grew up on a small farm on Baer Rd which is just on the outskirts of Peoria in a very large house, big enough to hold all 11 of us plus my parents and numerous foster children. My dad, Paul Meister was the owner of Baer Greenhouse on Baer Rd until he sold that and started Meister Brother's, a Heating and Air conditioning business which my husband and I now own and he started Meister Electric which my brother Spark owns today. My mom is Rhoda and was a stay at home mom. That's not to say she didn't work, it is a lot of work raising us and hundreds of fosters children. Mom is a great cook. She always loved horses and passed that love along to me buying our first pony for us when I was 6 years old. Our parents were members in the Apostolic Church, and brought us up to love the Lord and appreciate our church. We all gave our hearts to Jesus, gave our testimony before the congregation and were baptized, me at age 16. I married my husband at the age of 22 in our Peoria church and we have raised 5 children. All of our children also have given their hearts to Jesus and all are now married. We have 11 grandchildren so far. My sister Diane and I started Horsemeister Inc with the purchase Raven. I love this job, enjoy the horses.